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There are many ways you can dress your kids up on a budget. As a single mother of 5, I know how to stretch a dollar. Here are a few of the tips and tricks I use to keep my kids looking fabulous when we need to go out:

*Never pay full price for anything! Kid's are going to outgrow it in a year or less. While spending $30 or more on a shirt for yourself may be practical, it just isn't for kids. Higher prices don't always mean better quality. Most of the time you're just paying for the name on the tag, not the durability of the garment.

1.hand-me-downs are a great way to save money. Keeping the clothes my kids grow out of for the next one in line is a huge relief on the pocket book. Freeing up more spendable money on "nice clothes" when needed; letting them use the old ones for every day wear and play time.
2.Holding garage sales to make a few extra bucks to put toward a new outfit is always helpful.

3.Going to a thrift store can open up a wide range of inexpensive treasures. We've found a great many good deals there. Don't limit yourself to one thrift store, they're everywhere! Look around, make an adventure out of it.

4.Find out which day stores in your area set out their clearance items. I tend to stick to the ones that are 50% or more off. At the end of a season they usually try to get rid of the majority of their line, giving you even greater savings. Shop for next year's winter clothes in spring. I find it helpful to go up 2 sizes, just in case they hit a growth spert.

5.I found a website that sells brand new name brand kid's clothes for 50% to 75% off retail price. I've outfitted my kids for school, gotten clothes for a wedding there, and more; all saving me a ton of time and money. The kids looked great, and I didn't go bankrupt to get them that way. It's called: www.magickidsusa.com and you need a discount code to order from it, which is: MK19225
Even with the shipping and handling it ended up being cheaper than driving to the store and buying the clothes. I recommend it to all of my friends and family members who have children.

6.Telling your family what the kids need, in the way of gifts during the holidays helps tremendously. My dad has taken over the roll of outfitting the kids with shoes for Christmas time. He buys them each a pair for spring along with a slightly "funner" gift.

7.Oraganize a "clothes swap" with your friends and family. That way the "hand-me-downs" won't only be from an older sibling and will seem newer and more exciting. I've gotten bags of clothes from co-workers who would rather give the clothes to someone they know. It saves them the time of organizing a garage sale or making the trip to drop them off at the thrift store; while saving you money as well. It's a win-win situation.

8.If you know how to sew, or know someone who does; getting the material and a pattern can be even more exciting than buying something at the store. Finding material on clearance racks saves the most, of course.

Keep your eyes open for bargains, and your mind open to possibilities! It doesn't take a lot of effort if you know where to look. You'll be saving money with the best of them in no time.

Learn more about this author, Katrina Norman.
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